Comparative economics of rice-fish culture and rice monoculture in Ubon Province, Northeast Thailand
1986
Sollows, J.D. | Tongpan, N. (Ubon Field Crops Research Centre, Ubonratchathani (Thailand))
The economics of rice-fish culture and rice monoculture were investigated by field studies of six farms in the Lam Dom Noi irrigated area of Ubon, Thailand. On each farm, inputs to production of rice fields stocked with fish and of unstocked fields were monitored by weekly visits to the participating farmers between June 1984 and June 1985. Profits/ha/man-day/farm were compared for the 1984 rainy season, the 1985 dry season, and the full 12-month period. Fish species used were Cyprinus carpio, Oreochromis niloticus (x mosambicus) and Puntius gonionotus, stocked at 2,500-5,000/ha. By the end of 1984, the value of production had not yet recovered initial investments and operating costs of the rainy season. Fish harvest were not yet significant, but there was consistent evidence of higher rice yields from fields stocked with fish. During the following dry season, production of both table and seed fish became more significant. There was further evidence of the positive effect of fish culture on rice yields, especially when fish were stocked at high densities. The dry season profit/ha/man-day compared favorably with that from rice monoculture. After one year, the value of rice-fish culture production, has exceeded investments, but the year end profit was still less than the one-year profit from rice monoculture. Self sufficiency in seed fish by farmers could probably reverse this situation. This study indicates that the practice has potentials for raising the standard of living of low-income rice farmers in northeast Thailand. Its applicability in rainfed situations is also considered.
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